Public and private sector leaders have come together to make the case for multi-million-pound investment in the A50/A500 corridor, strengthening plans to drive economic growth and infrastructure improvements.
MPs, councils and businesses from across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Cheshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Derbyshire gathered at the House of Commons on Tuesday, where they were joined by Lilian Greenwood, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Future of Roads).
They were calling for £3 million in funding to develop detailed business plans for economic and transport schemes that could deliver significant benefits in manufacturing, energy, transport, innovation and skills.
Philip White, Deputy Leader of Staffordshire County Council, led a round table discussion on the next steps for the east-to-west ‘Midlands Growth Corridor’, calling the Fifty500 plan a ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’.
He said: “It was a privilege to chair this discussion about the transformational opportunity this proposal offers for people across the North Midlands and beyond to grow our economy by 10 per cent adding in billions of pounds of business growth and thousands of highly skilled and well-paid jobs and to secure the better transport infrastructure we all need.
“The programme will attract an estimated £1.6 billion of private sector investment, drive decarbonisation of industry, boost transport and deliver jobs and economic growth along the route of the A50 and A500. It really is a once in a lifetime opportunity, which we simply can’t afford to miss.
“Our ask to Government is for £3 million investment, over three years, to develop detailed business cases which ultimately will deliver benefits, growth and private investment many more times over.”
Jacob Collier, MP for Burton and Uttoxeter, who hosted the event, added: “It was fantastic to see so much support for the scheme brought together.
“I am proud to champion the A50/A500 corridor, which is essential to our regional economy and its future growth. By uniting together, we can unlock opportunities for local businesses, reduce congestion and improve daily life for the people not only in my constituency, but beyond.”
Representatives from Stantec’s development economics team supported Staffordshire County Council in presenting the long-term economic, environmental and societal benefits of the scheme.
Gareth Brown, Senior Associate Economist at Stantec, said: “Our research has shown that meaningful, targeted, and sustained investment into projects in this programme can lead to a significant uplift in regional growth. This would generate tens of thousands of high value jobs, support the drive to net zero, and create unique opportunities for millions of people.”
